On August 17, 2022 the FDA issued a ruling that will allow over the counter or “OTC” hearing aids to be sold in the United States. We are excited because this may allow people who have been hesitant about pursuing hearing aids before to give them a try. Our office has had several calls the last week regarding OTC devices. Although we do not plan to carry OTC devices in the office as our support to the consumer and programming for the device will be limited (which is against our best practice protocol), we have put together a list to compare and contrast what we know so far. Please keep in mind that this list will be constantly evolving at the Federal and State level as more information is released and devices are put into use:
OTC Hearing Aids
Can be sold in “Big Box Stores” and Pharmacies
Must be 18 years old to purchase/use
No hearing test is required
Only suitable for people with “perceived” mild - moderate hearing loss
No return policy
No trial period
No service or “fitting” assistance from a professional
Unable to be programmed for a specific hearing loss
Will come equipped with a volume button on the device to turn overall volume up and down or the device may be compatible with a smart phone app for the user to adjust
Not recommended for people with tinnitus, dizziness, ear pain or discomfort, hearing in one ear better than the other, or active drainage
Prescription hearing aids
Will continue to be fit by Audiologists or Hearing Aid Dispensers in office and insurance claims will be submitted for those who are covered
Your hearing healthcare professional can fit them on any age patient and take into consideration previous or current health conditions
A hearing test is required for frequency specific programming of the hearing aids - a “prescription” for the amount of volume you need for each frequency
These devices can be fit for mild to profound hearing losses
The trial period/return policies vary by State
There is still an onboard volume control or app adjustment
Follow-up fine tuning and cleaning/maintenance routine is provided by your hearing healthcare professional
Verification of fitting prescription by your hearing healthcare professional
Please keep in mind that as these devices are put into the market the Federal and State laws regulating them may continue to evolve. As always, we are committed to providing you with the best hearing solutions.
At this time, we will only continue to sell and fit prescription hearing aids using best practices in our office. OTC hearing aids are expected to arrive on store shelves in October 2022. We will be able to clean and check OTC devices for a fee and perhaps assist you on your hearing healthcare journey, however we are not sure at this time how insurance coverage will be handled concerning OTC hearing aid devices.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Compass Hearing Center in Denver City, Texas for more information about these new devices. It is our job to work with patients to find appropriate solutions to reduce listening fatigue, decrease communication issues, and enhance your quality of life.
Source: Hearing Matters Podcast webinar held on August 18, 2022 with Starkey Chief Innovation Officer Dave Fabry, Ph.D., Starkey Chief Compliance Officer Michael Scholl, and former FDA executive Nancy Stade
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